“I told her the story was fake.” I downshift into second gear, the engine a low purr.
“She believed you?”
“Why wouldn’t she?” I downshift into first gear and then slow to halt at the red light. From our spot, Afterglow’s bright neon lights glow into the night. “She has no reason to doubt me.”
McKenna gives me a questioning glance. “You’re not one to lie. Why the dishonesty?”
“Because it’s an unnecessary fact that my mother doesn’t need to know.”
McKenna’s brows pull together, shoulders curl. “It’s a fact that the world doesn’t need to know.” And my brother is the one who told your secrets is what she doesn’t say.
Regardless that I’m uneasy about bringing McKenna to the club, relief that we’ve arrived fills me as I pull over to the curb, stopping in front of the valet. Not because I want to avoid quiet time with her, but because my shame for how loyal she’s been to me is overwhelming. Never once had McKenna read a tabloid article, nor did she listen to a word of gossip; I’m seeing her loyalty toward me in ways I never saw before, and it solidifies my loyalty to her.
I roll down my window before the valet can open my door. “We’ll be just a minute.”
“Not a problem, Mr. O’Keefe.” The valet backs away, standing with hands laced behind his back.
McKenna chuckles. “Mr. O’Keefe.” She stares at the valet before she smiles at me. “Sometimes I forget how much of a big deal you are in San Francisco.”
“That’s what I like about you.” In fact, that’s what originally drew me to her. The way McKenna sees me is very different than the way the rest of the world does. She makes me feel like the guy who worked behind a bar and loved it enough to make a career out of it, instead of a multi-millionaire. “Any other questions before we go in?”
Her eyes search mine. Then, “Why do you keep this part of your life a secret?”
The answer could backfire in epic proportions. But trust needs to rebuild, so I refuse for there to be lies between us. “When I bought the club in my twenties, I used it as a place to meet women who enjoyed sex.”
“In a manner that you controlled, you mean?”
She never did miss a thing. “That’s right. My terms. My house, so to speak.”
I see her mind working in the amazing way it does, while she’s figuring me out. She doesn’t judge. She wants to understand. It’s a beautiful trait.
She finally asks, “Because you were worried that your active sex life would get out in the public?”
“The world loves a scandal, doesn’t it?”
She snorts a laugh. “It certainly does.”
I glance at the front door, watch a couple gain entrance before I address her again. “Have you ever been to a sex club?”
“No.”
I can’t ignore that fact. “Perhaps it would be better if you wait here.”
She barks a loud laugh, hand on the door handle. “Yeah, right, O’Keefe. As if I’m not going in there with you.” Then the door is open and she’s getting out of the car.
I sigh, unbuckling my seatbelt, knowing I had to at least try to avoid the inevitable. This world and McKenna were never supposed to intertwine. I’m uneasy about how this will turn out as I exit the car, leaving the keys in the
ignition. “I don’t anticipate we’ll be long,” I tell the valet.
He nods in understanding, and then he’s in my car, driving to park it around the back of the club. The streets are busy, the bars and nightclubs in full force, and I glance from left to right, looking for any paparazzi.
Confident no one is following us, I place my hand on the small of McKenna’s back and lead her to the door. Gerald, the bouncer who’s worked here for a couple years, smiles in greeting. He’s got the bulk, the brains, and the brutality when called for. “Welcome back, sir.”
“Thank you, Gerald.” I move closer to him, keeping the conversation private. “If you happen to see any paparazzi or photographer of any kind, remove them from the area.”
Gerald smiles, half deadly, half amused. “I’d be glad to, sir.”
I nod in thanks and gently guide McKenna toward the door. She glances up at me, smiling. “I have a feeling he might enjoy that task.”